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The couple behind a County Durham garage fear for their future after complaints from neighbours on a new estate led to a legal order to cut noise.
Brian and Julie Atkinson have run Staindrop garage Louis Smith Motors for 26 years without major problems.
But residents living on a new housing estate started to complain about noise from their son's wood-processing business, which runs from the same site.
Last month they were slapped with a noise abatement notice demanding they stop the noise or risk an unlimited fine and a £500 penalty for every day the offence continues.
But the couple say the estate should never have been built as a council planning committee was told noise would be an issue.
This image shows the houses next to the garage. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Durham County Council said it would continue to work with the business and residents to find a solution, but Julie said the notice had left the family frustrated.
She said: “It’s idiotic and bizarre.
"The housing estate should never have been built there.
“Why would you build a housing estate right on the boundary of our garage?
"There should have at least been a hill or an embankment separating us.”
“The worry is that if this complaint is allowed, they’ll start complaining about other things like being open at the weekend," Brian added.
“I’ve tried to resolve these problems amicably.
"I’ve moved James to a different part of the yard and I’ve removed the tyres they said were an eyesore.”
This image was taken from the new housing estate looking towards the garage. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Their son James Hardy runs the wood business at the centre of the row and began selling kindling in the village aged 11. The 20-year-old works at the garage while studying to be a car mechanic and cuts and delivers firewood in his spare time.
Julie said: “He’s been doing this since he was young.
"He would create kindling, put it in his wheelbarrow and sell it to people in the village.”
In March, Durham County Council wrote to the couple about complaints over noise from a generator, chainsaw and log splitter.
The row appeared to be over in April, when planning enforcement officer Neil Fawcett visited the site and found no breach of planning laws.
But on September 2, the family were given the noise abatement notice to stop noise from cutting and processing timber and firewood by November 2.
Louis Smith Motors. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Breaking the notice could bring an unlimited fine and a £500 penalty for every day the offence continues.
Planning documents presented in 2019 recommended that plans be refused.
They said: "The proximity of the development to the adjoining unrestricted industrial premises is likely to result in residents being adversely affected by the activities in the industrial premises.
"As a result, the existing businesses are also likely to be hampered in their ability to carry out their day to day activities and to expand or redevelop without additional burdens."
But the estate was given the green light by councillors at the time.
Brian plans to appeal the notice, and says the family has residents’ support.
Julie added: “We went to the local pub last weekend and everyone says they’re supporting us and on our side.
“It’s really nice and we really appreciate it, but we just wish we didn’t have to deal with this.
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"Brian works six, sometimes seven days a week. He doesn’t have time to deal with this and speak to solicitors.”
Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council’s acting head of community protection, said: “Having been contacted by local residents, we visited the site and an investigation was carried out which found there was a need to serve a noise abatement notice.
"We will continue to work with the business and residents to assist in coming up with solutions that will be to the benefit of all parties.”